Are you sure that’s not your circus?

By Alexis Schlesinger

Opinion Editor

It’s cute to say “There are no stupid questions” or “There are no wrong answers,” but that isn’t true. 

We’ve all rolled our eyes and sighed when our peers ask a stupid question in class because they weren’t paying attention.

I’m sure your professor has said to one of your classmates, “Mhm, interesting point. Anyone else?”

The problem goes beyond asking questions or making jokes without trying to use your own brain first. 

Many people have uncomfortably laughed at a terrible, distasteful joke because they “don’t want to make anyone feel bad,” or “don’t feel like lecturing someone.”

Stop prioritizing the feelings of people who don’t think about the feelings of others.

You’re coddling them. No wonder they act like children with no impulse control.

Speaking without thinking can have consequences that can range from simply being annoying to being outright dangerous.

One of the problems here is the people who aren’t thinking before they speak. 

The other problem is the people on the receiving or witnessing end, who don’t say anything. 

The only thing worse than someone not using their brain is watching someone not use their brain, and allowing it to happen.

I’m not telling you that you should answer all questions and comments with bitterness, or tell people they’re stupid.

I’m telling you to let people know that you know they’re speaking without thinking.

While it’s undoubtedly true that there have always been people who speak without thinking, living in the age of the internet has normalized the concept of putting every thought in your head out to the world.

It’s so easy to get on Instagram, TikTok, or any other platform, say whatever comes to mind, and post it for the masses to come across.

On top of that, society as a whole is addicted to short-form content and immediate gratification. 

And now, with the rise of generative artificial intelligence and “chatbots,” altered or incorrect information is becoming increasingly present on the internet.

All of these things combined have created the perfect storm for thoughtless behavior.

If people don’t know something, they’re asking AI instead of reading books or articles, or asking their friends and family. 

If people don’t like a person, they’re telling the whole world via Instagram story and blocking them instead of speaking to them in person. 

No need to think - just type and send.

Our society, especially in America, has evolved to spend more and more time on the internet, and with internet culture becoming increasingly thoughtless and speed-driven, it seeps into our real lives. 

Collectively, we all have to take more time to sit with our own thoughts, and urge the people around us to do the same. 

Your brain is a muscle - you have to exercise it to make it stronger.

And don’t you want other people’s brains to get stronger so they stop asking you those annoying, stupid questions? 

Don’t be afraid to tell people what they’re saying doesn’t make sense, or is wrong. 

It’s better for someone to be embarrassed for a few seconds, than for them to continue spreading misinformation for days, months, or years.

You don’t have to be excited to answer questions that require common sense or basic listening skills. 

Maybe someone’s asking you something that’s already been explained several times. Ask them if they know it’s been explained several times. Give them the answer. Tell them you will not repeat yourself. 

Or maybe you already said you wouldn’t be repeating yourself. Restate that boundary.

Tell people when the jokes they make are insensitive or rude. 

Stop laughing just because you don’t feel like taking the extra minute to “lecture” someone. 

Maybe they listen to you, maybe they don’t.

Regardless, you should be urging the people around you to care about the words they are saying, and how they affect other people. 

While you shouldn’t be responsible for educating every person on every topic, you should feel some kind of obligation to tell people when they’re acting or speaking carelessly. 

Stop letting people play stupid games if you don’t like when they win stupid prizes.